Crystal Lake firm on West Virginia Street serving McHenry and Kane counties since 1992, with offices in Woodstock and St. Charles. Represents executors and administrators in probate and handles trustee and beneficiary disputes, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and challenges to the validity of a will or trust. Also drafts revocable, QTIP, and special needs trusts.
Crystal Lake is in McHenry County.
Probate in McHenry County
Probate Court Record
McHenry County Circuit Court
McHenry County · 22nd Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
2200 North Seminary Avenue, Room 136, Woodstock, IL 60098
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in McHenry County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in McHenry County? →Settling an estate in McHenry County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Illinois
Free Illinois forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Illinois.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Illinois, a will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Pour-Over Will
In Illinois, a pour-over will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Illinois
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Illinois: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Illinois.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Illinois levies an estate tax35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $4,000,00035 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 16%35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Illinois, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate tax35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $4,000,00035 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Illinois take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular rates35 ILCS 5/201(b)(5.4) flat 4.95% rate on individuals, trusts, and estates; § 201(c)-(d) personal property tax replacement income tax; 35 ILCS 5/203 federal AGI conformityVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Illinois runs $3,680Estimate: 10 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,520Estimate: 15 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,002Estimate: 3 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,004Estimate: 6 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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